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Saturday, September 29, 2007

This is not a pretty picture. Its not meant to be. It is reality - or what was reality many years ago, seen through historical reinactments. This is however a real person.

I finished this drawing/sketch today and posted it and am interested in some comments that were made about it that show how people's perception of the world is slewed.

People want attractiveness around them. They fear becoming old and they fear seeing a side of life that they may see a part of themselves in. I think a lot of this perception is in North America and how the press bombards the public with messages of how life will be better only if you have the right lifestyle, have money, are youthful, are a certain height or weight, dye your hair, wear the right clothes, etc., etc.

The thing is, that people buy into this crap like its a religion. Then when confronted with reality, they either turn away or refuse to believe it, preferring the sanitized version of life. I personally like reality, even the harshness of it at times. I refuse to fall into the trap of advertisers and corporations trying to sell their products and brainwash me into believing that it will change my life and make me happy.

There are people out there who have no money, no jobs, no houses. There are people out there with wrinkles and grey hair. People are overweight, have illnesses, dental problems, money problems and no education.

There are no easy solutions to any of the problems and these problems have been around since time began in one form or another. But don't pretend they don't exist and don't pretend that you're any better than others in the world or that anyone else believes you're younger than you are. You can wear the lambskin and live in the house, but you'll still be mutton.

Friday, September 28, 2007

I've always had a love of historical things, and spent many hours exploring old houses, castles, cemeteries and historic ruins.

In the WDE of WetCanvas there was an image of a woman wearing a yoke from a historical reinactment and the image appealed to me. I have visited similar projects where the characters come to life and play the part of life in that era, making it seem more real. I haven't ever tried a yoke, but imagine that it likely is a pretty good way of distributing weight evenly to be carried.

Here is the sketch for the drawing that will be done with Derwent Drawing pencils. Or an attempt.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

These are a mix of ducklings that were hatched over the last couple of months. They are all sold and here waiting in the meadow pen for their new owners.

Because they live in the barn and haven't been outside until now, they're skittish and when you approach them, they all move in a group as if they are connected. A wave of birds, rather the way some flocks of birds move in the sky. Its as if invisible cords connect them all.They moved together into the shade of the lean to awning and chattered among themselves as I photographed them. I didn't stay too long as I didn't want to stress them too much. Each day they become less timid and, if they were staying on the farm, they'd be out with the other ducks wandering wherever they felt like and not minding human presence at all.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Why is there always a flurry before a show? I must get complacent and figure I have lots of time, then suddenly realize that the deadline is looming and panic sets in.

With panic, mistakes happen and everything seems to go wrong as I rush. I had the piece framed then decided at the last moment that I wanted it in a larger frame. I have a few spare frames so I chose a larger one and one by one the framing pins broke. Then I got the drawing taped in and realized it was crooked. Start again.

More framing pins break.

Swearing starts in earnest.

I finally got the drawing and the frame to cooperate, cleaned the glass, carefully pushed in the remaining framing pins and sealed the back of the finished piece. I decided I'd better wire it just in case. I didn't know how it was being hung on the other end, so figured I'd be on the safe side and cover all eventualities. Of course the posts wouldn't go into the frame would they? Nooooooo. I searched all over the house looking for my dremel drill, but its in the barn. Across the wet yard. In the pitch dark. I went on to plan B.

This is where I knew that high school math would eventually serve me well. A compass point! I rummaged around in the jar behind the kettle and came up with one, applied pressure to the frame and sure enough, it worked beautifully. Its probably the only useful thing that ever came out of my high school math.

This piece is going to Corner Brook, which is an 8 hour drive from here, so next I needed to wrap the picture so it wouldn't have chipped corners or broken glass by the time it arrived. Did I remember to buy bubble wrap on the way home? Nooooooooooooooo. Its 10pm by now and the stores are very shut. Plan B comes into action - or as I call it, recycling. More cupboards opened and searched, more swearing. Finally I found some bubble wrap from another package that didn't have all the bubbles popped (its such a satisfying stress reliever, popping those little bubbles isn't it?). So after liberal application of bubble wrap, wrapping paper and tape, the piece sits, awaiting delivery tomorrow and then on its way. Its not a pretty package, but it will get there.

Now I'm exhausted. And that was just ONE piece. The next show on October 21 is four pieces.

Tripod's favourite food is tuna. People tuna at that. Or dry catfood which he had to learn to eat as he'd never eaten it before judging by how he tried to gulp down mouthfuls of it without crunching it up first.

His gets his fix of tuna twice a day and is VERY vocal about it if you're not prompt enough serving it up. Tuna, with additional 'fresh' morsels that he catches and proudly leaves for me in the grass by the front step. Mice, shrews, rabbit, muskrat and something with a long furry tail - that was all that was left. Disability obviously doesn't cause many problems for this guy.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

I've decided from the names offered as possible titles for the portrait...... and .......

it will be namedWatching Her Leavewhich was offered by Cyril from The Teaching Life. Not an artist in the traditional sense, but creative in many other ways, especially in teaching.

The piece is now framed and will be entered in an exhibition hosted by the Realist Artists Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, of which I am a member. This show is for female artists only.

"Women in Newfoundland Art"

The theme of this show celebrates women and the works of these women that have been inspired by their emotional, social and physical interaction with the environment of this place they call home.

Running October 6 to 26, 2007 at the Arts and Culture Centre, Corner Brook.

I sifted through a number of titles suggested in my blog or via email. They ranged from sentimental to profound. And I am so thankful that there are people out there who were kind enough to take time to offer their thoughts.

Naming an art piece is complex. It reflects the creator, the piece and the viewer. A title of an art piece can make or break it. It is part of the piece and entices the viewer to look deeper and create their own story within the lines and colours.

So thank you Cyril, a print of Moored will be sent to you during this week. Enjoy!

If anyone would like to purchase a print of Moored, please contact me at jjobson at nl dot rogers dot com. They are available for $45 plus shipping. The print size is 9 x 12 with a 2 inch border.

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About Me

Traditional line and form and the world of representational art have been my comfort zone, especially in dry media. My early years were dedicated to traditional drawing. The transition to colour was an easy one and aquatic subject matter presented itself through my interest in gyotaku – fish printing. Water, boats and reflective surfaces become daily subjects for me and endless source of inspiration.
I teach drawing, painting and gyotaku privately and through workshops.